The Chief Constable, who knew exactly how much money the Bank of Scotland had quite happily shelled out, had his own ideas as to the origin of their sudden fit of reckless generosity and eyed the MacArthur with deep suspicion. The MacArthur, well-aware of what was going on in Sir Archie’s mind, met his eyes blandly, however, and nodded with a smile at the excited murmur that greeted the news.
“Will the thieves be going to jail, then, Sir Archie?” Clara asked. “I didn’t much like Murdo, but Wullie seemed a good sort.”
The Chief Constable smiled wryly. “It’s all been a bit difficult,” he admitted, “and we’ve actually had to let them go.” His eyes twinkled suddenly. “And to tell you the truth, I’m not sorry about it,” he admitted, “not after what Wullie did! And, when all’s said and done, I doubt if we’d have been able to bring any sort of case against them, anyway. The problem, really, was the ghosts — for we could hardly ask Mary King and her friends to testify, could we?”
Sir James smiled appreciatively at the thought of the ghosts in court. What a sensation that would have caused!
“I’m glad,” Clara said happily. “I liked Wullie and he did save Edinburgh from the plague, didn’t he!”
“Yes,” Neil said, “but if they hadn’t blown up the vault in the first place then the plague ghosts would never have got out! I reckon they’ve been lucky!”
The MacArthur and Lord Rothlan exchanged amused glances. They had both taken a liking to Wullie and had made quite sure that in facing up to the Plague People and saving the citizens of Edinburgh from the Black Death that he had been suitably and adequately rewarded.
33. Christmas Presents
“Talking of people being lucky,” the MacArthur smiled at Neil and Clara, “I think there are two very lucky children here because all of the presents under the tree are our gifts to you for Christmas.”
Neil and Clara looked delighted but eyed one another awkwardly, nevertheless. What about Lewis? Were there no presents for him?
“We’d like you to take them home and keep them until Christmas Day,” Lady Ellan added, smiling understandingly at their discomfort, “so that you open them at the same time as Lewis.”
Neil grinned. He might have known that they wouldn’t forget Lewis.
“We’ve been doing a little scheming,” Lord Rothlan admitted, placing an arm round Lewis’s shoulders.
“You see, we can’t actually give you presents to take home, Lewis,” Lady Ellan said, “because your parents would wonder where they came from, but we have cast a spell so that you’ll have quite a few more gifts than usual. I hope that’s all right?”
“Thank you,” Lewis said gratefully, feeling touched that they’d gone to so much trouble on his behalf.
The Sultan then stood up and beckoning Neil and Clara forward, held out two small packages wrapped in scarlet paper. “The MacArthur, Lord Rothlan and I,’ he smiled, “have decided to give you each a very special, magic gift. Now that you’ve become so involved in our world we felt it suitable and sensible to give you some protection against its dangers.”
Their excited smiles faded at the seriousness of his voice and their faces became attentive. “Thank you, your majesty,” they said, looking somewhat doubtfully at the brightly-wrapped gifts.
“Open them, then,” urged Lady Ellan with a smile. “They won’t bite you, I promise!”
Hands trembling slightly, they tore off the wrapping paper to reveal small velvet boxes. They both knew what they were. Ring boxes. Clara flipped open the lid of her box and her face fell as she looked at the ring inside. She glanced across at Neil, who didn’t look too impressed, either. They’d expected something bright, sparkling and exciting, not this plain band of rather dull silver. “Is it a magic ring?” she queried, trying to hide her disappointment as her eyes met those of the Sultan.
“I know they don’t look very special,” the Sultan apologised, his eyes twinkling as he glanced at Lord Rothlan and the MacArthur who were grinning broadly, “but they’re made from a very special metal and I’m afraid there’s not a lot we can do to improve their appearance.”
“What do they do?” Clara asked, curiously.
“Well … if you wear the ring on this finger,” the Sultan said, indicating the third finger of Clara’s right hand, “then nothing will happen, but if you slip it onto the ring finger of your left hand … why don’t you try it on and see for yourself.”
“Okay,” Clara smiled a trifle nervously as she lifted the ring carefully from its box, slipped it onto the third finger of her left hand — and immediately disappeared.